The Creative Hunt for Flu Shots
By Heather Murphy, 11.04.04

As a young mother of two, Heather Hansen is worried about the flu. She has not yet found a vaccination for her sons, one of whom falls into the high-risk category.

“A lot of people with children are really scared,” said Hansen, of Elizabeth City, N.C.

Her son's pediatrician had a small supply of the vaccine, but could not give him a shot until his sixth month birthday. After Adin’s birthday passed, the supply had already run out.

“He doesn’t know if they’ll get another shipment,” Hansen said.

Babies between 6 and 23 months are part of a group the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) considers at high-risk of serious illness or death from the flu. This group also includes anyone 65 years or older and pregnant women.

With only 61 million shots available this year
and 98 million people at high risk, many of
those who need the shot won’t be vaccinated this year, according to the Associated Press.

Officially, the shortage has caused local and state governments to determine who has priority.

The vaccine will be distributed “in the most equitable way possible,” said CDC Director Julie Gerberding.

Some people are taking matters into their own hands.

Supermarket Sweep
After her family doctor told her she could not get a flu shot there, Ann Sanderlin of Moyock, N.C. turned to the county office of public health. Sanderlin, who falls into the high-risk category of anyone over age 65, has gone to the public health department for her annual flu vaccination before.

“It’s very easy there. They always have it and they have very gentle nurses,” Sanderlin said.

This year though, things were different.

“Go wherever you can go,” the staff said. They didn’t have any shots available, but recommended a few other locations that might offer the vaccine.

Sanderlin, her husband and neighbor went to the Food Lion grocery store in Elizabeth City, N.C., a few weeks ago. There, Sanderlin’s search ended. After waiting in line for nearly two hours, Sanderlin received the fifth of 100 available shots.

“We were glad we got there early at 8:15 because people just kept coming,” Sanderlin said. “They didn’t know how to handle all of the extra people.”

Local Search
Hansen plans to search the local area for the vaccine, including military bases in nearby Virginia.

“Since my kids are going to preschool or the YMCA, I’d like them to have it,” Hansen said. “In the meantime, Hansen plans to stay away from situations “with lots of people or if someone’s been sick.”

Also, Hansen plans to use homeopathic methods, such as vitamins approved by her children’s pediatrician, to keep her family well.

Hansen admits she’s not as determined to find a shot as she was last year when she fell into a different high-risk category—pregnancy.

“That was important to me,” Hansen said. “I wanted to have extra precautions because I was helping to protect him [Adin] also.”

Teamwork
While health officials work to solve the shortage, the public is already practicing vaccination prioritization.

Sanderlin’s 72-year-old relative is foregoing her shot this year to free up one more vaccination for someone who is not as healthy. Hansen is limiting her search because she feels that if it’s not easily attainable, someone may need the vaccination more than her son.

The CDC hopes this attitude will help those who most need the shots receive them.

“We will need the help of the public,” Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said.

Thompson recommends those in high-risk categories go to their doctor or local clinic. If unsuccessful there, people seeking the vaccine should contact the CDC.